Swine Time Festival

The L. Girls had quite the time at the Swine Time Festival last Saturday. It's hard to pass down going to a festival and then with Mark and Laura being here, we felt it was a must! There's just not the festivals in the midwest like here :O) We didn't get up real early to go but meandered in just in time for the parade... that had candy!!! One sad disappointment here is that I have rarely seen a parade that throws candy. This is countered, however, with the numerous bands that are usually seen in the parades. For me, it usually makes up for the candy.

The joke of the parade, though, was that I 'went green'. A girl was passing out cards with writing on it, however my card was blank. I looked at it very confused and looked at the person down the row to see if they had a writing. I secretly was hoping that since the girl wasn't handing out very many there was a prize for having one in my hand. That was not to be so.... this cute little lady next to us who comes every year laughed and said I was 'going green' and thus it became the joke.

The festival was a decent size for such a small town. We watched a 'best dressed pig' contest and a baby crawling contest. Both a lot of fun.

We learned of a new fruit... a pomelos. It looks like a grapefruit but its definitely not as bitter. It's somewhere between an orange and a grapefruit. We also stopped at a canned 'fruit' stand. This lady did NOT just have fruits though. She had some of the weirdest stuff I had ever heard and some that sounded scrumptous. Gross Example: Vidalia Onion Jam Yummy Example: Strawberry Banana Jam
I ended up buying : Cherry Jam, Apple Butter, Pina Colada Jam.

To top off a fun and adventurous trip it started to rain. We had parked a ways away and so we got to walk back in the rain. It was actually kind of fun, though I think the little girl next to us said it best, "Mommy, do I have to take a shower tonight?"

~Olive

Gardening

While the men were busy working, there wasn't much for the rest of us to do so J., L, and I decided to do some gardening. One tree in our front yard had completely shed its leaves while the other was still in limbo. There were lots of bushes that Popeye and I had decided to pull out and start over with so we set to work on those. Our front yard now looks like a desolate desert (but with rain). However, L. is going to help me turn it in to an oasis after the house is finished. We're going to put our HGTV landscaping skills to the test :O)

~Olive

And We Have Walls

Our house is now acquiring drywall. It is the most exciting thing since sliced bread and creamed cheese (combined!). Since most of Popeye's siblings were able to be around for Thanksgiving and its a holiday, they're tearing into the house. I LOVE seeing the ceilings and walls go up. It's been so long since they've had them, not to mention the fact that it now is starting to define all the new framing that we did. It will be crazy cool when I can stand at the front of our house and not see all the way through to the back. I'm so very looking forward to that day (that may even be tomorrow!!!!). Anyway, just wanted to update. It's going to be a little while until we'll be back into the house because we're hiring the drywall finishers... as Popeye says "That's an art unto itself!" Until then.....

~Olive

The Family Comes

The family came for an early holiday. They got in early Sat. (surprising all of us who were still in our pajamas) and stayed until Wednesday morning. We don't have our house done yet, as many of you probably know, though there has been great headway, and so they rented the one vacation rental to be found in my town. Thankfully, it was big enough for all seven of us (Popeye still had to work and slept at his parents house), and it was right on a lake.

We had fun while they were here. My not-so-little sister-anymore loves horses and C., Popeye's brother, hooked us up with some horses so that the family could go horseback riding. Oh my, did my sister NEVER want to get off those horses. She rode until after it was dark and my mom made her get off. We got to spend some time with Popeye's parents during the weekend, too.

On Monday, we went shopping. Mom, M. (my brother's wife), and I really wanted to get some Christmas shopping done so the guys were willing to acquiesce. We didn't really buy a lot, mostly because they were going to have to haul it all back in an already crowded trunk, but I was almost done anyway.
On Tuesday, I gave them a tour around town and we got out and walked around down town. My poor youngest brother was at his wit's end though because to him it was just more shopping. The rest of us thought it was pretty cool to see what was around... there's always some unique stuff. We did go bowling after wards though and Popeye caught up with us. My dad and S. ended up beating us all but it was all for fun... and we got to see some 'real bowlers' play.
We took our family picture on Wednesday morning before they left. Its a rare opportunity to get us all together at this stage in our lives so a group pic was a MUST!!

It was real sad to see them go. I had a lot of fun hanging out with them and just relaxing. I know it couldn't happen all the time because we have to work, make money, and do all that adult stuff, but what a great vacation. Popeye said I was the most euphoric he'd ever seen me. He had even given me bad postponement news on the house and I wasn't upset. I believe he was thinking of sending me back with them :O)

~Olive

Mule Day Fun & Questions

So we were at Mule Day and little R. LOVES to walk around with us. She has a great appreciation for the fun of festivals and loves the food! I don't know if she's ever had a turkey leg but you should have seen her attack mine! She loved it and it was funny to watch her bite into that big ole thing. We then got a smoothie and she also devoured this. We were walking around together (which is enough to make anyone hungry) and Mule day is set around this lake so you're sort of walking in a big circle. We were on the other side of the lake when I look down and she is falling asleep as she walks. I catch her in time and she's asleep as soon as her head hits my shoulder. I then proceed to carry and growing now 5-year-old to the other side of the lake and onto her very own blanket. But who could blame her. It was looking pretty good to the rest of us at about this time. We were all up at 4:00 AM to get there in time to set up, including R.

Things on the list to do next year at Mule Day. Visit the Mule Museum.. yep, they have a whole museum dedicated to mules. We probably should have visited that one. Watch the Mule Day parade (I'm curious how many mules they had in it!). And finally watch the mule judging. I only heard the announcer and the applause as we were walking by... but how do they judge a mule????? All good questions to find out next November!!!!


Signing off-
Olive

Getting Ready for Mule Day

We set up at Mule Day last weekend. This is our second show and it was said that we would see roughly 50 to 60 thousand people. We don't think we saw that many but then we weren't far from the porta potties. I might have stayed farther away if I was them too. Overall, though. We got a decent amount of traffic but to Popeye's brothers' relief there were plenty of cake leftovers for them to munch on. We did make lots, though. We had about thirty something loaves of bread, twenty something cakes, about 50 dozen cookies and lots of snack mixes, drink mixes, and such. It was such fun though! The mornings here are cold though and we learned for next time that we need thick shoes so they won't get dewey and our feet won't freeze, three layers in the morning is not enough, and its still dark at 6:30 to set up the canopy. :O)

We had lots of special help though getting ready. H. was a fabulous baker and even did things such as the popcorn balls herself. J., who's a whiz at the 3-D things, put together the cake boxes for us. L. can make bread like no tomorrow. Mom is wonderful at the artsy stuff like the tags and bows and baking some delicious breads. I'm not sure what my specialty was (maybe the optimism) but I can bake and package.

Overall, I'm looking forward to setting up again next weekend at Old South Day. This is supposed to be our final weekend, but..... we'll see :O) Who knows, we might just decide to do more it's so much fun!

-Olive

Our First Show

The girls and I have been making adorable beaded watches and really cute homemade cards to sell. To get rid of leftover beads we also made a few bracelets and necklaces. Our first show was last weekend. It was about an hour away, which is really to far to go and make a lot of profit due to gas prices, and it was pretty big. We did get a lot of interest and some people actually bought our watches but overall the crowd was there for a garage sale style show. This was not to our advantage because we weren't going to be marking them down to a dollar no matter how late it got. However, we made just enough sales to cover all expenses so we're not discouraged. We sent in money for our second to last show yesterday. There is supposed to be 50,000-60,000 people there! Mom L. is helping us do baked goods in order to make our stand look fuller and cover more of the cost to get there. Its again an hour away and we've decided after getting up at 4 to make it to this last show that we were no way going to be getting up at three to go to this one... thus the present plan is to get a really cheap hotel room for the night. It's less than three weeks away!!!

-Olive

The House is Coming

The house is finally coming along. I'm getting very excited as the plumbers finished up their first round of work today (last round is after the inspector comes). Tomorrow, Dad L. is coming over and Popeye is going into work later to finish up the electrical work. After an inspector comes, we can fill in all the holes around the house and REALLY get to work :O) oohhh, gives me goosebumps! Popeye is thinking we'll move in about Halloween. I'm shooting for Thanksgiving just to be safe, but there is that hope inside of me that says, 'yeah, Halloween is sounding like the PERFECT time to move in' ;o)


For those who don't know, Popeye's work schedule has gone CRAZY and this is going to effect our house work. A Supervisor on third shift is taking a long vacation before the year is up and that means someone has got to fill in. Popeye and the other supervisor on second is now having to rotate days and work 12 hour shifts to cover. That means that Popeye is working from three in the afternoon until three in the morning every other day and and extra twelve hours every other Saturday. I feel bad for Popeye because this is extremely hard on the body working that many hours. Pray for him that he stays healthy and can keep this up for a month until the supervisor comes back!

-Olive

Weekend Watch

So mom and Dad L visited some friends in Florida for a wonderful weekend, Popeye and I watched the kids. Saturday morning we all went garage selling... which was the first time since married life... and was wonderful! I thoroughly enjoyed it and much thanks to mom's new GPS system we only went in semi-circles instead of full ones :O) Much to the kids disappointment we didn't stumble across 'the mother load'. (You know, the garage sell with almost every toy imaginable!) They, instead, got some gum at Walmart.

On Sunday after church we went to a local plantation that was having a family day. Although we got in free only due to our gracious ticket lady who was collecting colored pictures for tickets (which we had none). Apparently, the kids were supposed to color a horse picture found online in order to get in free and Popeye and I were supposed to pay. Not knowing much about the event, we didn't bring any money and no coloring pictures. Praise the Lord for our ticket lady!

We had fun at the event though. There was a short pet parade, a calvary drill, trained retrieving dogs, puppeteer, and crafts. R even 'bobbed' for an apple which she then got to eat as a free snack. The best part, though, was just walking around outside. We are experiencing my favorite time of the year and this weather is BEAUTIFUL!!!! Absolutely perfect. Everyone... NOW is the time to visit :O)

-Olive

Update On House

The air conditioner now works!!!!! Though we can't use it quite yet. Not until the drywall is up and sanded b/c of the dust we make working in there. We had to replace an outside box and add a vent to the laundry room so I was overheated in the summer.

The floor is torn up! When I say floor... I mean cement, taken out, dirt shoveled out, all pipes exposed. We have to reroute some of the plumbing lines which should be done this week. This was a very nasty job... dust everywhere, cement's heavy to carry, and red clay dirt is messy! But with the help of C., B. and L. (yes, we even asked Popeye's sister to help on this one!) we got it taken care of!

The wiring is still in the process. Our main concern has been the floor so this week we're going focus on the wiring as well. There isn't too much to go but it all takes time!

Framing has basically been completed. We couldn't do above the bathroom doors b/c we've got to hook up tub/showers after the plumbing is complete.... hate to not be ableto get it through the door!!! I'd have to post pictures of that one ;o)

And lastly, I have all my cabinets. I have a TON of cabinets. I mean a TON. I think I will have more closet/cabinet space than we need but that's okay with me. Rather have too much than the other way around but now I'm on duty staining them, etc. We bought them unfinished to save a little money. Then... much to Popeye's dismay, it took me buying four to five different kind of little sample stain bottles to find the one I wanted. I never knew picking stain was so difficult! I've finally settled on one and believe it or not, it matches my mother's. This was not intended. I really didn't set out for that. I think maybe its something in my subconcious.

That's the update. After this upcoming week we should be able to put the walls up and really see the rooms! YEAH!!!

-Olive

Mended Our Criminals Ways

WE ARE NOW LEGAL!!!!! Yes, that's right. Unbeknownst to us, we needed permits. Who would have thought! We didn't think we needed them b/c Popeye's dad had remodeled their home and COUNTY law says that you don't need permits unless you're adding to the square footage of the home! CITY law... not quite so lenient! They require all sorts of stuff... past house plans, future house plans, pictures of the structure, idea of cost, etc.

So, Popeye right quick went and got the proper permits and we're back in action. Only set back is we'll have to wait on an inspector once plumbing and electric is done but hey... what's one more day to not be breaking the law!

Wonderful Photography Help

wedding party

Most of you know that I do a little wedding photography on the side. Well, I had a wedding this past weekend.... a most interesting wedding. Actually, its been my most stressful yet for several different reasons. First and foremost being that it was an indoor wedding. Thus far, I've had outdoor weddings with plenty of NATURAL light. Secondly being, this was a renewing of vows so this lady was older, more traditional than my previous younger brides so..... well, that makes creative views a little different. And lastly, there were over 40 in the wedding party. You read right! OVER 40! There were best man, matron of honor, 7 groomsmen, 7 bridesmaids, 1 jr best man, 1 jr maid of honor, 7 jr best men, 7 jr bridesmaids, 7 flower girls, 2 ring bearers, 1 baby bride and 1 baby groom (not to mention the happy couple of 25 years!). Phew. It was like taking an extended family portrait when it came to shooting the whole party (indoors!).

(baby bride and baby groom!!! so cute!)

However, this blog isn't about the wedding itself... its about my amazing help. Popeye was originally supposed to shoot pictures as well and his younger brother B. was supposed to assist. Well, that's great and should probably happen for future weddings however Popeye ended up having to work so B. took over as assistant and photographer! He was GREAT! He was there, covering up close during the wedding, shot some great shots, and really worked hard. I felt completely confident in sending the groomsmen over to him to shoot off to the side as I shot the bridesmaids to get through pictures quicker.

Thanks B. for such great help!

-Olive

Slowing It Down While Keeping Busy

I think Popeye has finally caught back up with his sleep... just in time for a three-day weekend. The house was put somewhat on hold this week as we are at the plumbing/electrical stage of the house and this is going to require tearing up some concrete. Thankfully, dad once again has the right tools!!!!

The men spent last Saturday (despite hurricane weather and no electricity) putting in electrical boxes and laying out the wiring. Once we get some 1 x 3's up and the electrical work finished we can start drywalling our ceilings in the front rooms of the house. However, we still have the plumbing then to do and this is a rather tedious task from what I've told. We are still weighing our options. Hiring plumbers would be faster.... but we're cheaper labor!

I haven't really been at the house for over a week (minus getting the mail). (Side note: a common UPS perception of our house as of recently is that the house is vacant and we have moved out. While we may not technically live there at this present time, I still wish they'd leave my packages. Perhaps I shouldn't have had them mailed to that address quite yet... I'm optimistic!) Popeye's mom and brother traveled to the grandparents to help them move and I volunteered to help out around the house. Going into it, I knew the kids were going to miss mom..... I mean who wouldn't! So Popeye's oldest younger sis and I set out to keep them busy. We painted, we baked, we made rainbow jello and caterpillars chains. I think I've read more children's books than when I was in my FAVORITE summer activity: Summer Reading! Even the hurricane helped out by turning off the electricity at random times during this past weekend... creating a little excitement and adventure! Overall, even though they still missed mom (and their bro) I think that we were successful!

Mom and bro are back now though (despite Atlanta airports crazy computer mishap!) and that means tomorrow is BACK TO BUSINESS!!! Which I am thoroughly excited about. We get to nail some boards to our ceiling :O)

-Olive

'My Wall'

Popeye had to work late the last few nights and two twelve hour shifts this weekend, so his brothers C., B., and I worked on the house ourselves. We got so much accomplished! My pride and joy, however is 'my wall'. We were adding on to the laundry room and I measured, cut, and hammer nailed together the wall by myself. His brother C. gave me a few pointers and such but the work was mine! Well, really, to God be the glory because it helps us on our way to getting everything done sooner and I wasn't injured during this project. It's exciting though to do it myself and I joked with Popeye that I'm going to hire out on a construction crew when our house is finished. :O)

-Olive

Taking Down & Putting Up Walls

The guys putting up a wall that will add a closet to the front room and drown out any noise from the air conditioner/heater.


Popeye's Brother working on pulling nails out of old boards to use for new wall construction!


Showing off the newly tore down ceilings in the front room. Those wall supports behind him came down to open up the living room more. Youch! It looks empty!



The house is really starting to take shape. All walls in the front room that needed to be taken down are down and support beams have been put up. Popeye, his three brothers, and good friend have built and put up the wall for a closet in the living room and will be working next on a closet for the third bedroom. After the front of the house has been laid out its on to the bathrooms. We're turning that 1 1/2 bath into a two but that's going to take some major wall moving and tearing out drywall (the only rooms in the whole house that it was used in). Once that's done its redoing all the plumbing and wiring and then we can drywall!!!!

We're shooting to move in a little after labor day and be pretty much completely done by the middle of September. Please pray that we can stay somewhat on schedule and nothing too major comes up! I'll try to keep everyone updated!!!

-Olive

Grandma Helps

Grandma, my sis, and me stripping laundry rooms cabinets.

Grandma takes a break out in the rain to cool down!


Grandma was visiting for a week to visit and we got her for a morning! We were done with most of the initial deconstruction so we set to work stripping the laundry room cabinets. She is a pro at this as she's done it several, several times. We got all of the laundry room cabinets done. With all that amazing help on the laundry room cabinets, I'm dreading doing the kitchen cabinets and doors around the house by myself! Maybe I'll have to bring grandma back to help :O)


-Olive

Initial Deconstruction

My sister and Popeye's brother kicking down drywall in master bath!


Popeye and his youngest bro pulling up the layer ONE of kitchen flooring.


My sis and I scraping up layer TWO of the kitchen flooring!


My sister breaking through bathroom walls!


My mother told me the other day she was surprised at how much we were tearing our house apart. Apparently no one, (not even really me) realized how it would look after the deconstruction faze started taking place. My sister was here to help and we have Popeye's two brothers around most days so it really makes it go quick. Our one wish while working during the hot August days: AIR CONDITIONING!!!!

-Olive

Trip to Midwest

Us with R&L at their wedding.


Well, Popeye and I made it back from the great midwest in one piece, and totin' along an extra helper. While we were up, we went to R&L's wedding (which was beautiful!), stopped by and saw some friends near Chicago, visited his family in IL, went to the 4H fair, and I even had time to do a watch workshop. Things are always tight though whenever we visit.. whether for the weekend or a week. There were plenty of family and friends that sadly we didn't get to see. It usually ends up to be that we rotate. One time I'll get to see this friend and the next time another.

My brother showing his pig at the 4H fair.

We had a nice time though and while our new house was somewhat on my mind, I managed to focus (for the most part) on the trip and time with people. It's great to be back and working though!!!!
My sister showing her pig at the 4H fair :o)


-Olive

WE GOT IT!!!!

Phew! Today we are officially home owners. Which also means, like most of America, really, really, really in debt. We are now looking forward to the remodeling and trying not to get too excited due to the upcoming trip to the midwest. The most we intend to do before then is new locks on the doors and pulling up the carpeting for our return... but that hasn't stopped me from looking. I'm scouring the papers for discounted/slightly used items that would work! We WILL do this in a reasonable amount!!!

Well, anyway. You'll be glad to see that I'm FINALLY putting up pictures. It's a little late coming but now you'll be able to see what we're up against! Not horrible, but we're ready to sink our teeth into the project... and pick out a color for the walls other than white!!!! I'm ready to see the colors of the rainbow!!! I'll post some pictures as we go and then of the finished product later for a comparison sort of thing!!! YEAH!!!

-Olive

Date Weekend

Popeye has worked the last three weeks straight trying to make enough overtime cash to remodel our hopefully upcoming kitchen without taking out a loan. Due to this, I haven't seen a whole lot of my wonderful husband so we made it pretty much a date weekend. We stayed out late Saturday, doing random errands. Then on Sunday night we went out again, getting some ice cream at Dairy Queen and looking at some cars in local dealerships (a favorite past time of my hubby). It was a catch-up weekend as well as a getting-us-through weekend, as he plans on working the next two weeks in a row before we head to the midwest to visit the fam and go to a wedding. Ahh.... I love finding time for just the two of us. -Olive